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Feed in Tariff
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from April 1, 2012. There was some confusion as to whether or not the solar installation will contribute to bringing the property up to EPC band ‘D.’ A DECC spokeswoman stated: “A generator must be able to demonstrate as part of their application for FiTs that the building to which the solar PV installation is attached or wired to provide electricity is rated at EPC level D or above. The FiTs requirement doesn’t prescribe how level D should be met.” DECC clarified that people who want to use solar PV towards obtaining an EPC rating of ‘D’ would need to “have the solar panel system installed, conduct an EPC and then apply for the FiTs scheme. The EPC must be sent with the documentation relating to registration for FiTs.”
Three scenarios exist for PV-EPC assessments:
1) The property achieves a band D rating prior to the addition of PV or other improvements. If, from the initial survey, if it is found that the property meets the required standard - band D or better then an EPC can be issued at this stage. It is possible to update the EPC once the Solar PV has been fitted, this will require a short re-visit and /or documentation confirming the installation date. There is and additional administration fee for this service and the original assessment is only valid for 6 months.
2) The property is not currently band D, but will achieve a band D rating after the installation of the proposed PV. At this stage a ‘live’ document known as an EPR (Energy Performance Report) is generated. This report allows the assessor to change the software inputs to predict whether the addition of Solar PV will achieve the desired level. An EPC is produced only when the installation of Solar PV is completed and must be confirmed by the assessor.
3) The property is not currently band D and will require other improvements in addition to the installation of PV to achieve the required band D rating. At this, for insurance purposes an EPC is produced and improvements are made using the Governments software – EPC Advisor. This software is available to the public and demonstrates how the different thermal upgrades affect the dwelling’s EPC band. Once the dwelling achieves a band D and the works have been completed a compliant EPC can be issued subject to the assessor’s confirmation.
Tariff rates
The tariff rates are exactly as DECC confirmed on January 19, as laid out below:
| Scale | Current tariff * | Tariff from April 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 4kW (new build) | 37.8p | 21.0p |
| 4kW (retrofit) | 43.3p | 21.0p |
| >4-10kW | 37.6p | 16.8p |
| >10-50kW | 32.9p | 15.2p |
| >50-100kW | 19p | 12.9p |
| >100-150kW | 19p | 12.9p |
| >150-250kW | 15p | 12.9p |
| >250kW-5MW | 8.5p | 8.9p |
| Stand alone | 8.5p | 8.9p |
*Due to the ongoing legal dispute, the tariff rate for the lifetime of solar PV systems cannot be guarenteed. However, 43.3p will be paid for all systems registered between December 12/11-March 3/12 until April 1, regardless of the appeal.
